Childminder in North East Lincolnshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY318073 Inspection date 12 April 2006 Inspector Margaret Bryant

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in November 2005. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 9, 14 and 15 years in the East of Grimsby, close to the border of Cleethorpes. The whole of the downstairs of the property is used. The childminder is registered to care for six children with currently four children on-roll, all of whom are under 8 years old. She takes children to the local parks, adventure parks also and on walks to and from school. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has an NVQ Level 3 certificate in Early Years Care and Education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The family have two dogs and one cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home that is acceptable with regard to cleanliness, and where all toys and resources, for children's use are clean. Rooms in which they are mainly cared for are clean also. For example, the living room and front room are clean, including furnishings and flooring. So too is the bathroom and toilet, which children access through the kitchen. However, hygiene standards in the kitchen are not adequately maintained. Pets in the home mainly stay in the kitchen, with the dogs bedding permanently in here. They have regular health checks and feeding bowls are out of children's way. However, hygiene standards are not acceptable with regard to the care of pets in the kitchen. Children understand about hygiene in relation to personal care, including the importance of washing their hands after going to the toilet and before eating. They use antibacterial soap and have individual paper towels on which to dry their hands,

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Helping children to be healthy

with a bin for the disposal of the towels. Children know why they wash their hands, to get rid of any germs. They know that they must wash them properly with soap and water, happily showing that they do this by asking the childminder to smell their nice, clean hands. They understand about covering their mouths when they cough so as not to spread germs and wiping their noses with tissue, disposing of these straight into the bins provided. Nappy changing procedures involve the wearing of disposable gloves by the childminder. She also hygienically disposes of nappies in a chemical container specifically for the disposal of nappies. Children get exercise through regular walks and through running around at the park and flying their kites. Parents are kept fully informed of procedures for the administration of medication and informed of any accidents. The childminder has a first aid certificate, shared with parents. This reassures them that she can cope with

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Helping children to be healthy

any emergency situation that may arise, to safeguard their children until medical help is sought. However, she does not have written permission from parents for the seeking of medical help in case of emergency. Children's individual dietary needs are currently catered for by parents, with the childminder storing food and drinks brought in by them in the fridge until required. However, she provides healthy snacks if needed, with a variety of fresh fruit available for children to choose from. Drinks are readily available for children at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home where they receive a warm welcome from the childminder. There are satisfactory measures in place to safeguard children and protect them from possible harm. For example, cleaning materials and toxic

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 substances are inaccessible by minded children and those rooms in use, have guards around the fires. However, the stairs are not protected and final exit doors are not suitably secured. There is a fire blanket in place and working smoke alarms with a clear procedure about evacuation of the premises. When outside of the home children know that they hold hands and must not run off. They also know that they need to wear their seatbelts when out in the car, talking of wearing them properly across their bodies and not just around their waist. This they understand is to keep them safe if the car has to suddenly brake. Young children and babies are securely strapped into their prams to keep them safe also. All toys and resources available are safe and suitable for children's use. The

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder has age-appropriate tools for children to use in their craftwork, guiding them as they use them and develop their skills of manipulation. For example, she has scissors with blunt edges specifically for young children's safe use. All children are supervised by the childminder for their safety, in varying degrees, according to their age. For example, older children are supervised but from a distance, when they go to the bathroom. This is because the childminder has regard for their growing independence and right to privacy. The childminder understands her responsibilities in safeguarding and protecting children. She demonstrates a clear understanding of her role, in line with local area child protection procedures, in keeping children safe from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy being cared for by a childminder who is patient and caring to them. They have a range of resources that encourage their imaginative and creative skills. They enjoy helping themselves to the good range of craft items with different collage materials available. Plenty of conversation takes place with the children, with the childminder helping them in their choices and reinforcing their learning of colour and concept of numbers. For example, she asks children what coloured pen that they want, what colour of glitter that they wish and how many eyes that they want for their pictures. Talking to the children helps them to develop their skills of language. The childminder through craftwork, helps children to develop their skills of dexterity and manipulation as well as hand and eye coordination. They immensely enjoy creating their pictures and seeing their finished results of which they feel justly proud. This is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

because the childminder praises the children for their efforts. She is unconcerned by the mess that they make and encourages children to tidy up after they decide that they wish to do something else. Some activities are spontaneous and are jointly decided upon by the childminder and the children. For example, children with the childminder speak of seeing people flying kites. They buy kites of their own and they take them to the park and fly them, enjoying the activity and the fun that they have. Through everyday play and activities, children are helped to notice objects and life around them. They visit the ducks on the pond and see the rabbits, learning about how they live, counting as they go and noticing colours of objects as well. Young children and babies begin to settle with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 childminder and she helps them with recognition of sounds. She repeats the sounds that they make which they enjoy and helps and encourages them in their physical development, to stand and learn to walk. They have the opportunity to be involved in painting, which they enjoy, such as finger painting with support. Children also have the opportunity to have quiet times and to relax, with the children beginning to understand how important it is to have rest in the day too.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children play enthusiastically and are happy with a childminder who is aware of their individual likes and dislikes. They engage in conversations with the childminder who listens attentively to them. This helps them to feel important to her and good about themselves. Children receive praise and encouragement for their efforts in their play, with a sticker system in place which works well. Children enjoy receiving the stickers which helps to raise their self-esteem and encourage good behaviour. They also encourage children to further achieve, be nice to each other and get along with their friends. Children are encouraged to share and be patient with each other and take turns. Children begin to learn about the world around them. For example, they look at the sky and notice from the clouds what the weather may be. There are some resources that reflect positive images of race and diversity, however these are limited. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are cared for according to parent's wishes, with written agreements in place to satisfy them that their wishes are respected. The childminder has a good relationship with parents and has a written contract with them. This sets out the expectations of her and the parents as to the care and activities she will provide for their individual children. Also the business arrangements in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home which is generally well organised. They have a range of resources available for their free access, which helps them to feel settled and develop a sense of belonging. The childminder gives children appropriate attention and supervision in their play. This helps them to feel secure. Documentation is well organised with records easily accessible, stored with respect for confidentiality in a lockable box. Records are supported by written policies and procedures including a complaints procedure. These are given to parents in a well presented booklet and reassure them about the practices by which she operates, which help to safeguard their children, however, there is no complaints record in place. The childminder shares with parents her certificates of any training that she attends. This shows them that she is willing to keep abreast of relevant childcare

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Organisation

practices, in order to further her knowledge in caring for young children. Parents are also kept verbally informed about their children's progress and what they have done

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 during the day. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that standards of hygiene are maintained throughout childminding areas, including the kitchen, ensuring that the presence of pets in here, poses no risk to children's health and well being • ensure that children's safety is paramount at all times through making sure they cannot access areas not used, nor leave the premises unaccompanied • improve resources to ensure children have a broad range of resources and activities which reflect diversity • obtain written permission from parents to be able to seek medical help for children in case of emergency • devise a complaints log ensuring that there is a record made of any complaints.

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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